WWW.QNS.COM RIDGEWOOD TIMES APRIL 27, 2017 15 Public honors memory of Glendale fi refi ghter BY EMILY DAVENPORT [email protected] @RIDGEWOODTIMES There was a great outpouring of emotion and support from people across Queens following last Thursday’s death of Firefi ghter William Tolley in Ridgewood. “I join with all FDNY members in honoring the memory of our brother who unfortunately lost his life in the line of duty earlier today,” said Jake Lemonda, president of the FDNY Uniformed Officers Foundation. “This is an extremely dangerous job that our dedicated members put their lives on the line everyday to protect the residents of the City of New York. On behalf of the offi cers union, I off er condolences to his family and friends.” To honor Tolley’s memory, the FDNY Foundation has started the Firefi ghter William Tolley’s Children’s Educational Fund, which will support Tolley’s daughter. “This is a truly heartbreaking loss for the New York City Fire Department and the Glendale community. Firefi ghter William Tolley, a member of our very own Myrtle Turtles, E286/L135, spent 14 years protecting and saving the lives of our neighbors,” said Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley. “The members of his fi rehouse will need our community’s support during this very diffi cult time. My prayers are with his family and the Department.” “Every day, members of the New York City Fire Department protect our neighborhoods and prevent tragedies. Placing one’s life on the line to save others shows a character of tremendous courage and compassion,” said state Senator Michael Gianaris. “My thoughts are with William Tolley’s family and loved ones at this diffi cult time. He was a dedicated fi refi ghter whose service helped keep us all safe. May his memory be eternal.” “We deeply mourn Mr. Tolley’s sudden loss, and salute the courage he displayed and sacrifi ces he made not just today, but every single day throughout his 14 years of service to the people of the City of New York,” said Queens Borough President Melinda Katz. “Our prayers are with his family at this time, especially his wife, his young daughter, his brother and his parents. Our thoughts are also with the rest of his family, friends and the entire FDNY community.” Members of the community have taken to social media to share their condolences with Tolley’s family and honor his memory as a hero. TRAGEDY IN RIDGEWOOD Tolley’s funeral to take place in Bethpage today BY SUZANNE MONTEVERDI [email protected] @SMONT76 Funeral services for the Glendale-based fi refi ghter who fell to his death while battling a Ridgewood blaze on April 20 will be held today, April 27, in his Long Island hometown. The wake took place at Chapey and Sons Funeral Home, located at 20 Hicksville Rd. in Bethpage on Tuesday, April 25, and on Wednesday, April 26. The funeral will take place at St. Martin of Tours Church, located at 220 Central Ave. in Bethpage, on Thursday, April 27, at 11 a.m. Tolley is survived by his wife, Marie, and their 8-year-old daughter, Bella. In lieu of fl owers, the family requests donations be made to the ‘William N. Tolley’s Children’s Educational Fund,’ which can be done at https://www. fdnyfoundation.org/donate/. Still unclear what caused a fi refi ghter’s fatal fall in Ridgewood BY ROBERT POZARYCKI [email protected] @ROBBPOZ The investigation continues into the death of Firefi ghter William Tolley, who died aft er taking a fall while battling a twoalarm fi re on April 20. According to the Fire Department, Tolley of the Glendale-based Ladder Company 135 was among those who responded to the blaze that ignited at 2:19 p.m. on April 20 inside a fi ve-story building at the corner of Wyckoff and Putnam avenues. More than 100 fi refi ghters from 25 units responded to calls about the blaze. According to police sources, Tolley ascended up a bucket ladder to work on the fi re from the roof when he fell. Video captured on Twitter showed a group of firefighters quickly wheeling a gurney carrying Tolley, a 14-year FDNY veteran, into a waiting ambulance that was sent to Wyckoff Heights Medical Center, where he died a short time later. Three residents inside the dwelling were also taken to Wyckoff Hospital for injuries that were not life-threatening, the FDNY said. Firefighters brought the blaze under control just before 3 p.m.; reportedly, a burning incense candle triggered the inferno. Mayor Bill de Blasio, Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro, City Council Members Antonio Reynoso and Elizabeth Crowley and Public Advocate Letitia James rushed to Wyckoff Hospital on Thursday afternoon. They offered condolences to Tolley’s wife, Marie, and their 8-year-old daughter, Bella. The family resides in Bethpage, Long Island. “Everyone is in a state of shock and grief, and to his family we say that we stand with you,” de Blasio said, “not just now, but for years to come.” Tolley is the 1,147th member of the New York City Fire Department to be killed in the line of duty. On the night of April 20, firefighters saluted Tolley as his body was transferred out of Wyckoff Heights Hospital, with Commissioner Nigro leading the way. Photo by Robert Stridiron Firefi ghters look up at the roof of the Ridgewood building where a fi refi ghter fell to his death on April 20. Photo via Twitter/@FDNY Members of the FDNY salute as Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro leads the body of Firefi ghter William Tolley out of Wyckoff Heights Medical Center.
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